Stockton Borough Council Commission Official Illustration for The Globe
What do The Rolling Stones, The Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, Morecambe & Wise, T-Rex and The Beatles all have in common? Answer: they all performed at The Globe, Stockon's legendary entertainment venue! And while I probably won't be gracing the stage there anytime soon, I'm delighted to announce that I will have played a small part in adding to its legacy, by creating an official illustration of The Globe for Stockon Borough Council.
The Globe is a stunningly unique venue on Stockton-on-Tees High Street steeped in a rich history of entertainment. It is currently being brought back to life by Stockton Borough Council.
Illustrating this beautiful grade 2 listed building was no small task, as The Globe is considered to be of National architectural importance, but I was determined to do it justice. I was lucky enough to get a hard hat tour of the building during the ongoing renovation, which gave me some insight into what a breathtaking space it was, and will be again, once it reopens in 2020.
My illustration features the Globe as it looked when it first opened in 1935. As the building has been through many visual changes since then, I needed to piece together a complete image of the venue by sifting through a modest archive of old photographs and architectural plans.
A highlight of the illustration is the swanky car parked outside, which would have belonged to the local butcher that set up shop on The Globe premises back in 1935, and was reportedly a big fan of flash cars! (It's amazing what you can learn from speaking to those in the Teeside community who still have fond memories of The Globe and its many characters).
“Working with Abby on her recent Stockton Globe graphic illustration commission was an absolute pleasure. She is a talented professional, listens to the requirements of the client and brings her creativity to the process. Abby understands the value of the artwork and demonstrated originality as well as in-depth knowledge of the sector. She is committed to achieving the best outcome and worked incredibly hard for us, within a tight timeframe.”
The illustration is currently available as an A3 art print (£8) and A6 postcard (£1), which can be purchased from Rediscover Stockton and Preston Park Museum. Postcards can also be picked up at the Hampton by Hilton. Further merchandise is likely to be developed in the future, so keep your eyes peeled!
All proceeds from the merchandise are going back into The Globe too. The money will go towards supporting The Globe community organisation, which will celebrate the building’s heritage into the future.
The Globe is set for a Grand reopening in 2020, soon to be the jewel in the crown of the Town Centre. I'll be celebrating by creating a second illustration of The Globe as it looks after the renovation is complete, making for a wonderful pair of past/present illustrations.
f you're interested in commissioning some original artwork that creates the perfect first impression, why not get in touch?